Political Reporter

The rifts in the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) continue to widen, with co-vice president Welshman Ncube failing to attend several rallies addressed by party leader Nelson Chamisa.

Ncube was notably absent from Chamisa's rally in Gweru last weekend, where he was scheduled to speak.  Instead, Ncube reportedly spent time with his family in Bulawayo.

A source who spoke to this publication said that this was not the first time that Ncube has skipped Chamisa's meetings. He was also absent from a CCC leaders meeting held in Bulawayo in June.

"The growing absence by Ncube from Chamisa's rallies has fuelled speculation that there is a rift between the two leaders. Some people are saying that Ncube is angry with Chamisa for failing to include most of his lieutenants on the CCC's official candidate list in Bulawayo. Remember that Ncube is the godfather of CCC’s Bulawayo, and if he is ill-treated, it would cost the party’s votes in the province,” said the source.

The same source added that Ncube was reportedly working with other disgruntled CCC members to call for an urgent elective congress soon after the elections to choose substantive officeholders in the party.

According to the source, the rift between Ncube and Chamisa could have a significant impact on the CCC's chances of winning the elections.

"If Ncube and his supporters continue to boycott CCC rallies, it could weaken the CCC's campaign and make it more difficult for the party to win the elections,” said the source.

Meanwhile, at the CCC Gweru rally, Tendai Biti reportedly refused to sit at the high table, opting to be in the crowd with the people. Biti’s bid to contest in the Harare East constituency hit a snag after Chamisa backed Allan Markham to represent CCC in that constituency.